Different types of blue hippo tangs? (Dory)

[huckjai]

Hey Reefers, looking to add a blue hippo tang to my tank in a couple of months. I've noticed at the LFS they had some from different places like, Hawaii, Indonesia, and Africa. All with different pricing, with Africa being the most expensive. They had them at different times, so I couldn't compare them to spot any differences from them. Can someone tell how they are different? Thanks!

 

[nereefpat]

They would all be the same species. In some fishes, regional variants can have different colors, for example. The only difference I am aware of among hippo tangs is that some specimens have the yellow bellies. I believe they're from the Red Sea.

Now, sometimes collection or shipping methods differ from place to place. And fish from different places can cost more or less, but it's the same fish.

 

[Redfoxtang]

+1 with what is said above same species just caught in a different location. Also agree with only other hippo I’ve seen is a yellow belly. They must be charging more because of shipping of where the fish was caught perhaps.

 

[huckjai]

Thanks for the info @nereefpat and @Redfoxtang . So if no difference really, then I'll just go with the cheaper ones then. If the more expensive ones were hardier or something, I would consider paying more.

 

[Johnny Stecchino]

I have seen the regular blue and the yellow belly as coloration is concerned. I believe the cheaper hippos are from Indonesia and most of them are farmed in the ocean in net boxes. Here is an interesting video on how these fish are farmed and collected. Indonesia blue hippo farm. Stay away from cyanide collected fish. Although less prevalent than in the past, this practice is still used in Indonesia and the Philippines. Here is a video on cyanide collection

 

[huckjai]

I have seen the regular blue and the yellow belly as coloration is concerned. I believe the cheaper hippos are from Indonesia and most of them are farmed in the ocean in net boxes. Here is an interesting video on how these fish are farmed and collected. Indonesia blue hippo farm. Stay away from cyanide collected fish. Although less prevalent than in the past, this practice is still used in Indonesia and the Philippines. Here is a video on cyanide collection

That makes sense why Indonesian tangs are cheapest. I'm guessing farmed ones have a weaker immune system than wild caught ones.